Independently drawing and tensioning lines with bi-directional rotary device having two spools

ABSTRACT

A method of drawing lines into a housing includes: rotating a dial in a first rotational direction of the dial such that a first spool located in an interior of the housing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational direction thereby winding a first line thereabout; and rotating the same dial in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction such that a second spool located in the interior of the housing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational direction thereby winding a second line thereabout. The rotating of the same dial in the second, opposite rotational direction does not result in unwinding of the first line from the first spool, and the rotating of the same dial in the first rotational direction does not result in unwinding of the second line from the second spool.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 120 to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/276,357, filed Feb.24, 2006, which is a nonprovisional of, and claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 119(e) to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/656,335,filed Feb. 25, 2005, and which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/222,549, filed Sep. 9, 2005, now abandoned whichis a continuation-in-part of: U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/123,942, filed May 6, 2005, which published as U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. US 2006/0015988 A1, and which is anonprovisional of 60/569,304, 60/608,397, and 60/656,335; and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/123,900 filed May 6, 2005, whichpublished as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2005/0247813 A1,and which is a nonprovisional of 60/569,304, 60/608,397, and 60/656,335.The entire disclosure of each of these patent applications and patentapplication publications is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All of the material in this patent document, including that of thefigures, is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws ofthe United States and other countries. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental recordsbut, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover,while many aspects and features relate to methods and apparatus fortensioning lines, and may be described in the context of adjustablyfitted articles of protective apparel, such as ballistic vests, thepresent invention is not limited to use only in protective apparel, aswill become apparent from the following summaries and detaileddescriptions of aspects, features, and one or more embodiments of theinvention.

In an aspect of the invention, a method of drawing lines into a housingincludes the steps of: rotating a dial in a first rotational directionof the dial such that a first spool located in an interior of thehousing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational direction therebywinding a first line thereabout; and rotating the dial in a secondrotational direction of the dial opposite to the first rotationaldirection of the dial such that a second spool located in the interiorof the housing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational directionthereby winding a second line thereabout.

In a feature of this aspect, the method further includes the steps of:during rotation of the dial in the second rotational direction of thedial, inhibiting the first spool from rotating in the second rotationaldirection of the first spool, thereby keeping the first line fromunwinding from the first spool; and during rotation of the dial in thefirst rotational direction of the dial, inhibiting the second spool fromrotating in the second rotational direction of the second spool, therebykeeping the second line from unwinding from the second spool.Furthermore, the method further preferably includes the steps of:disengaging a first pawl inhibiting the first spool from rotating in thesecond rotational direction of the first spool, whereby the first linemay be unwound from the first spool and withdrawn from the housing; anddisengaging a second pawl inhibiting the second spool from rotating inthe second rotational direction of the second spool, whereby the secondline may be unwound from the second spool and withdrawn from thehousing. The first pawl may be disengaged independently of the secondpawl and the second pawl may be disengaged independently of the firstpawl. Alternatively, the first pawl may be first disengaged and then thesecond pawl may be disengaged, or the first pawl and the second pawl maybe simultaneously disengaged.

In another feature of the invention, each line is anchored at a pointexterior to the housing whereby each line is tensioned as each line isdrawn into the housing, each line being independently tensioned inaccordance with the method.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of tensioning linesincludes the steps of: rotating a dial in a first rotational directionof the dial such that a first spool located in an interior of thehousing is mechanically rotated by the dial in a first rotationaldirection thereby winding a first and second lines thereabout; androtating the dial in a second rotational direction of the dial oppositeto the first rotational direction of the dial such that a second spoollocated in the interior of the housing is mechanically rotated by thedial in a first rotational direction thereby winding a third and fourthline thereabout. The first and second lines may be tensioned together,the third and fourth lines may be tensioned together, and the first andsecond lines may be independently tensioned with respect to the thirdand fourth lines. With further respect to this aspect, the first andsecond lines also may form an endless loop and the third and fourthlines may form an endless loop. In particular, the first and secondlines may be connected by a line segment extending through the firstspool, and the third and fourth lines may be connected by a line segmentextending through the second spool.

The method also may further include the steps of: during rotation of thedial in the second rotational direction of the dial, inhibiting thefirst spool from rotating in the second rotational direction of thefirst spool, thereby keeping the first and second lines from unwindingfrom the first spool; and during rotation of the dial in the firstrotational direction of the dial, inhibiting the second spool fromrotating in the second rotational direction of the second spool, therebykeeping the third and fourth lines from unwinding from the second spool.

Moreover, the method also may include the steps of: disengaging a firstpawl inhibiting the first spool from rotating in the second rotationaldirection of the first spool, whereby the first and second lines may beunwound from the first spool and withdrawn from the housing; anddisengaging a second pawl inhibiting the second spool from rotating inthe second rotational direction of the second spool, whereby the thirdand fourth lines may be unwound from the second spool and withdrawn fromthe housing. The first pawl may be disengaged independently of thesecond pawl and wherein the second pawl is disengaged independently ofthe first pawl; the first pawl may be first disengaged then followed bydisengagement of the second pawl; or the first pawl and the second pawlmay be simultaneously disengaged.

In another aspect of the invention, a method includes: a step forwinding a first line about a first spool located within a housing byrotating a dial in a first rotational direction, whereby the first lineis drawn into the housing while inhibiting unwinding of a second linefrom a second spool also located within the housing; and a step forwinding the second line about the second spool by rotating the dial in asecond rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction,whereby the second line is drawn into the housing while inhibitingunwinding of the first line from the first spool. The method may furtherinclude: a step for unwinding the first line from the first spool; and astep for unwinding the second line from the second spool independent ofthe unwinding of the first line from the first spool.

In another aspect of the invention, a device for winding lines within ahousing includes: means for winding a first line about a first spoollocated within a housing by rotating a dial in a first rotationaldirection, whereby the first line is drawn into the housing whileinhibiting unwinding of a second line from a second spool also locatedwithin the housing; and means for winding the second line about thesecond spool by rotating the dial in a second rotational directionopposite the first rotational direction, whereby the second line isdrawn into the housing while inhibiting unwinding of the first line fromthe first spool. The device also may include: means for unwinding thefirst line from the first spool; and means for unwinding the second linefrom the second spool independent of the unwinding of the first linefrom the first spool.

In still yet another aspect of the invention, a device for independentlytensioning lines includes: a dial including a drive shaft that extendsfrom the dial, the dial and drive shaft rotatable about a drive axis; adrive gear fixed on drive shaft for rotation with the drive shaft aboutthe drive axis during rotation of the dial; a pinion mounted on a pivotarm and rotatable relative to the pivot arm about a pinion axis, whereinteeth of the pinion are engaged with teeth of the drive gear, andwherein the pivot arm is mounted on the drive shaft and rotatablerelative to the drive shaft about the drive axis to different positionsincluding a first position, in which teeth of the pinion engage teeth ofa first gear but not teeth of a second gear, a second position, in whichteeth of the pinion engage teeth of the second gear but do not engageteeth of the first gear, and an intermediate position, in which teeth ofthe pinion do not engage teeth of either the first gear or teeth of thesecond gear; a first spool fixed on a first spindle for rotation withthe first spindle about a first spindle axis, the first spindle beingcoaxial with, and fixedly connected to, the first gear for rotationtherewith about the first spindle axis, the fist spool including a firstratchet wheel coaxial with the first gear; a second spool fixed on asecond spindle for rotation with the second spindle about a secondspindle axis, the second spindle being coaxial with, and fixedlyconnected to, the second gear for rotation therewith about the secondspindle axis, the second spool including a second ratchet wheel coaxialwith the second gear; a first pawl configured to engage ratchet teeth ofthe first ratchet wheel thereby preventing rotation of the first spoolin a first rotational direction of the first spool, but permittingrotation of the first spool in a second rotational direction of thefirst spool; a second pawl configured to engage ratchet teeth of thesecond ratchet wheel thereby preventing rotation of the second spool ina first rotational direction of the second spool, but permittingrotation of the second spool in a second rotational direction of thesecond spool; a first release member configured to selectively displacethe first pawl from engagement with the ratchet teeth of the firstspool, thereby permitting rotation of the first spool in the firstrotational direction of the first spool; and a second release memberconfigured to selectively displace the second pawl from engagement withthe ratchet teeth of the second spool, thereby permitting rotation ofthe second spool in the first rotational direction of the second spool.

In accordance with this aspect, rotation of the dial in a firstrotational direction about the drive axis results in rotation of thefirst spool in the second rotational direction of the first spool, butdoes not result in rotation of the second spool, and rotation of thedial in a second rotational direction about the drive axis results inrotation of the second spool in the second rotational direction of thesecond spool, but does not result in rotation of the first spool.

In a feature of this aspect, a first line is wound about the first spoolwhen the first spool is rotated in the second rotational direction ofthe first spool, whereby tension may be applied to the first line, and asecond line is wound about the second spool when the second spool isrotated in the second rotational direction of the second spool, wherebytension may be applied to the second line independent of tension that isapplied to the first line. The first spool may include an radial openingthrough which a first line extends and the second spool may include aradial opening through which a second line extends. Furthermore, thefirst spool may include a pair of opposed radial openings through bothof which a first line extends and the second spool may include a pair ofopposed radial openings through both of which a second line extends.

In another feature, the first release member is additionally configuredto selectively displace the pivot arm from the first position when thefirst release member is selectively displacing the first pawl fromengagement with the ratchet teeth of the first spool, and the secondrelease member is additionally configured to selectively displace thepivot arm from the second position when the second release member isselectively displacing the second pawl from engagement with the ratchetteeth of the second spool.

In still yet another feature, the first release member is movablebetween a position in which the first pawl is displaced from engagementwith the ratchet teeth of the first spool and a second position in whichthe first pawl is not displaced from engagement with the ratchet teethof the first spool, and wherein the first release member is biased by afirst elastic component toward the second position; and the secondrelease member is movable between a position in which the second pawl isdisplaced from engagement with the ratchet teeth of the second spool anda second position in which the second pawl is not displaced fromengagement with the ratchet teeth of the second spool, and wherein thesecond release member is biased by a second elastic component toward thesecond position. The first elastic component may be integrally formedwith the first release member, and the second elastic component may beintegrally formed with the second release member.

In another feature, the device further may include a housing in whichthe drive shaft, the drive gear, the pinion, the pivot arm, the firstgear, the second gear, the first spool, the first spindle, the firstratchet wheel, the second spool, the second spindle, the second ratchetwheel, the first pawl, and the second pawl are located. The firstrelease member and the second release member also may extend partiallywithin the housing and partially outside of the housing, and the firstand second elastic components may engage an exterior of the housing andrespectively urge the first and second release members further out ofthe housing.

The housing also may include a length and a width that are substantiallygreater than a height such that the housing is relatively thin, therebygiving the housing a planar appearance. The housing also may include abottom surface that is substantially planar. The housing also mayinclude a top casing and a bottom casing that are coupled together. Thedial in such instance may be located exterior to the top casing, and thedrive shaft may extend from the dial through coaxial openings of the topcasing and the bottom casing and include and end thereof that snaps intolocking engagement to the bottom casing within the coaxial opening ofthe bottom casing. The first and second pawls also may be integrallyformed with the bottom casing; and the bottom casing may definecableways providing protected passageways to the first and second spoolsfor the unobstructed tensioning of lines by the first and second spools.

The bottom casing also may define two pair of cableways, each respectivecableways of a pair having coaxial passageways.

In a feature, the top casing defines a guide slot and wherein the pivotarm includes a extension that is received within the guide slot duringmovement of the pivot arm between the first, second, and intermediatepositions.

In still yet other features of the invention, the first spindle and thefirst gear and integrally formed, and the second spindle and the secondgear are integrally formed; the dial and the drive shaft are integrallyformed; the first pool and the first ratchet wheel are integrallyformed, and the second spool and the second ratchet wheel are integrallyformed; the device consists of only injection molded pieces; and/or thedevice does not include any metallic components.

In another aspect of the invention, a device for independentlytensioning lines includes: a dial; a drive gear that is fixedlyconnected to the dial, the dial and drive gear being concentric androtatable together about a drive axis; a pinion rotatable about a pinionaxis and having teeth engaged with teeth of the drive gear, the pinionbeing pivotable about the drive axis to different positions including, afirst position, in which teeth of the pinion engage teeth of a firstgear but not teeth of a second gear, a second position, in which teethof the pinion engage teeth of the second gear but do not engage teeth ofthe first gear, and an intermediate position, in which teeth of thepinion do not engage teeth of either the first gear or teeth of thesecond gear; a first spool fixed on a first spindle for rotation withthe first spindle about a first spindle axis, the first spindle beingcoaxial with, and fixedly connected to, the first gear for rotationtherewith about the first spindle axis; a second spool fixed on a secondspindle for rotation with the second spindle about a second spindleaxis, the second spindle being coaxial with, and fixedly connected to,the second gear for rotation therewith about the second spindle axis; afirst pawl configured to engage, and thereby prevent rotation of, thefirst spool in a first rotational direction of the first spool, whilepermitting rotation of the first spool in a second rotational directionof the first spool; a second pawl configured to engage, and therebyprevent rotation of, the second spool in a first rotational direction ofthe second spool, while permitting rotation of the second spool in asecond rotational direction of the second spool; a first release memberconfigured to selectively displace the first pawl from engagement withthe first spool, thereby permitting rotation of the first spool in thefirst rotational direction of the first spool; and a second releasemember configured to selectively displace the second pawl fromengagement with the second spool, thereby permitting rotation of thesecond spool in the first rotational direction of the second spool.

In accordance with this aspect, rotation of the dial in a firstrotational direction about the drive axis results in rotation of thefirst spool in the second rotational direction of the first spool, butdoes not result in rotation of the second spool, and rotation of thedial in a second rotational direction about the drive axis results inrotation of the second spool in the second rotational direction of thesecond spool, but does not result in rotation of the first spool.

In a feature of this aspect, the first release member and the secondrelease member respectively comprise opposite ends of a center-pivotedlever that is pivotal between a first position, in which the firstrelease member engages and displaces the first pawl, a second position,in which the second release member engages and displaces the secondpawl, and an intermediate position in which the lever arm displacesneither the first pawl nor the second pawl.

In another feature, the device further includes a first line that iswound about the first spool when the first spool is rotated in thesecond rotational direction of the first spool, whereby tension may beapplied to the first line, and a second line that is wound about thesecond spool when the second spool is rotated in the second rotationaldirection of the second spool, whereby tension may be applied to thesecond line independent of tension that is applied to the first line.The first spool may include an radial opening through which a first lineextends and the second spool may include a radial opening through whicha second line extends; and the first spool may include a pair of opposedradial openings through both of which a first line extends and thesecond spool may include a pair of opposed radial openings through bothof which a second line extends.

Additionally, the first release member may be movable between a positionin which the first pawl is displaced from engagement with the firstspool and a second position in which the first pawl is not displacedfrom engagement with the first spool, wherein the first release memberis biased by an elastic component toward the second position; and thesecond release member may be movable between a position in which thesecond pawl is displaced from engagement with the second spool and asecond position in which the second pawl is not displaced fromengagement with the second spool, wherein the second release member isbiased by an elastic component toward the second position. Moreover, thesame elastic member, such as a spring, may bias both the first releasemember toward the second position and the second release member towardthe second position.

In another feature, the device further includes a housing in which thedrive gear, the pinion, the first gear, the second gear, the firstspool, the first spindle, the second spool, the second spindle, thefirst pawl, and the second pawl are located. The housing may include alength and a width that are substantially greater than a height suchthat the housing is relatively thin and include a generally planarappearance. Furthermore, the housing may includes=a bottom surface thatis substantially planar for mounting of the device to a generally planarsurface.

In another feature of this aspect, the housing includes a top casing anda bottom casing that are coupled together. The bottom casing may definecableways providing protected passageways to the first and second spoolsfor the unobstructed tensioning of lines by the first and second spools,and the bottom casing may define two pair of cableways.

The top casing may define a guide slot and an extension fixedlyconnected to the pinion may be received within the guide slot duringmovement of the pinion between the first, second, and intermediatepositions, whereby the pinion may be guided and supported in itsmovement.

In another feature, both the first pawl and the second pawl arepivotably disposed within the housing.

In still yet another aspect of the invention, a device for independentlytensioning lines includes: a housing; a control handle extending fromthe housing; a first line extending from the housing; and a second lineextending from the housing. The control handle is rotatable about anaxis in a first rotational direction, whereby at least a portion of saidfirst line is drawn into said housing when said control handle isrotated in the first rotational direction. The control handle also isrotatable about said axis in a second rotational direction, whereby atleast a portion of said second line is drawn into said housing when saidcontrol handle is rotated in the second rotational direction, whereinthe second rotational direction is opposite to the first rotationaldirection. The control handle preferably comprises a dial.

In another aspect of the invention, a device for independently drawinglines into a housing includes: means for drawing at least a portion of afirst line into the housing when a control handle is rotated in a firstrotational direction; means for drawing at least a portion of a secondline into the housing when the control handle is rotated in a secondrotational direction opposite the first rotational direction; and meansfor retaining the portion of the first line within the housing when aportion of the second line is drawn into the housing and for retaining aportion of the second line within the housing when a portion of thefirst line is drawn into the housing.

In a feature of this invention, the device further includes means forreleasing a portion of the first line from the housing without alsoreleasing a portion of the second line from the housing. The devicefurther may include means for releasing a portion of the second linefrom the housing without also releasing a portion of the first line fromthe housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, whereinthe same elements are referred to with the same reference numerals, andwherein,

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a device for independently tensioninglines in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of an interior of the device of FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of rotatable components of the device of FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the interior of the device of FIG. 1,shown with most of the rotatable components removed therefrom;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are front plan views of the device of FIG. 1 illustratingthe alternative movement of the respective release members relative tothe rest of the device;

FIG. 7A which is a front plan view of the pivot arm together with thevarious gears all shown in isolation from the rest of the components ofthe device, wherein the pivot arm is in a neutral position;

FIG. 7B which is a side plan view of the pivot arm together with thevarious gears all shown in isolation from the rest of the components ofthe device, wherein the pivot arm is in a neutral position;

FIG. 8A which is a front plan view of the pivot arm together with thevarious gears all shown in isolation from the rest of the components ofthe device, wherein the pivot arm is in a first engaged position;

FIG. 8B which is a side plan view of the pivot arm together with thevarious gears all shown in isolation from the rest of the components ofthe device, wherein the pivot arm is in a first engaged position;

FIG. 9A which is a front plan view of the pivot arm together with thevarious gears all shown in isolation from the rest of the components ofthe device, wherein the pivot arm is in a second engaged position;

FIG. 9B which is a side plan view of the pivot arm together with thevarious gears all shown in isolation from the rest of the components ofthe device, wherein the pivot arm is in a second engaged position;

FIG. 10 is a front plan view of a device for independently tensioninglines in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a front plan view of the rear half of a device forindependently tensioning lines in accordance with a second embodiment ofthe present invention, wherein a pinion gear is in a neutral position;

FIG. 12 is a rear plan view of the front half of a device forindependently tensioning lines in accordance with the second embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a front plan view of the rear half of the device of FIG. 10,wherein the pinion gear is in a first engaged position;

FIG. 14 is a front plan view of the rear of the device of FIG. 10,wherein the pinion gear is in a second engaged position; and

FIGS. 15-19 illustrate a method of using a device in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention for independently tensioning linesmerely by clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation of a disk-shapeddial.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one havingordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the presentinvention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodimentdiscussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be partof a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention.Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrativepurposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the presentinvention. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations,modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosedby the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of thepresent invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detailin relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that thisdisclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, andis made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enablingdisclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein ofone or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, tolimit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention,which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof.It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded thepresent invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitationfound herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps ofvarious processes or methods that are described herein are illustrativeand not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, althoughsteps of various processes or methods may be shown and described asbeing in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processesor methods are not limited to being carried out in any particularsequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps insuch processes or methods generally may be carried out in variousdifferent sequences and orders while still falling within the scope ofthe present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope ofpatent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by theappended claims rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refersto that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to meanbased on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that themeaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisanbased on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from anyparticular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that themeaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan shouldprevail.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an”each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a pluralityunless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “apicnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having atleast one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” Incontrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes“a picnic basket having only one apple.”

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at lease one ofthe items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus,reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “apicnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket havingcrackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese andcrackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and”denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnicbasket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket havingcheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well asdescribes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basketfurther has cheese.”

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a device 10 for independently tensioninglines in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, whileFIG. 2 is a front plan view of an interior of the device 10 of FIG. 1,and FIG. 3 is a side plan view of rotatable components of the device 10of FIG. 2. As collectively shown therein, the device 10 includes a base12 and a cover 14, mounted within which are a drive assembly 20, one ormore spool assemblies 30,50, a ratcheting assembly including a pawl40,60 for each respective spool assembly 30,50, and a release assemblyincluding release member 72,82 for each respective spool assembly 30,50.Each of these components of the device 10 is described in detailhereinbelow.

The drive assembly 20 includes a dial 22, a drive gear 24 and a pinion26 mounted on a pivot arm 28. The dial 22 includes a drive shaft 23extending therefrom, and the dial 22 and drive shaft 23 are rotatableabout a drive axis. The outer surface of the dial 22 may includeindentations 21 or other features to make it possible for a user tograsp and turn it easily. The drive gear 24 is fixed on the drive shaft23 for rotation with the drive shaft 23 about the drive axis. A proximalend of the pivot arm 28 is rotatably mounted on the drive shaft 23,while the pinion 26 is mounted on the distal end of the pivot arm 28 andis rotatable relative to the pivot arm 28 about a pinion axis. The teethof the pinion 26 are arranged for a purpose made apparent hereinbelow.

The end of the drive shaft 23 is preferably bifurcated and provided witha wedge-shaped retention flange 25, wherein the wedge-shaped retentionflange 25 may be forced into a corresponding opening in the pivot arm28, thereby deflecting the two bifurcated portions of the shaft 23inward, toward each other, thus permitting the wedge-shaped retentionflange 25 to pass there through. Once the flange 25 has passedcompletely through the opening, the two bifurcated portions of the shaft23 are biased outward again, thereby retaining the pivot arm 28 on thedrive shaft 23.

Similarly, the cover 14 and the base 12, which collectively form ahousing and are described in further detail below, include coaxialopenings through which the end of the drive shaft 23 extends.Furthermore, because the dial 22 is located generally exterior to thecover 14, when the wedge-shaped retention flange 25 is forced throughthe openings in the cover 14 and the base 12, and is retained to thebase 12 by the snap-fit connection of the retention flange 25 to theflanged opening of the base 12, the base 12 and cover 14 are securelycoupled together and preferably retain all of the components thereinwithout aid of additional fasteners, such as screws. Indeed, due to thisdesign, the device 10 may be constructed without use of any metallicfasteners, and the device 10 may be constructed solely from injectionmolded components. Such a construction is particularly beneficial whenthe device 10 is utilized, for example, with ballistic vests or otherbody armor, where the use of a screw poses an unnecessary risk to awearer.

Each spool assembly 30,50 includes a spindle (not shown) upon which arespective spool 32,52, gear 34,54 and ratchet wheel 36,56 are allfixed. Two or more of the spindle, spool 32,52, gear 34,54 and ratchetwheel 36,56 of a respective spool assembly may be integrally formed, orall of the components may comprise separate pieces that are connectedtogether. In any event, a respective spool assembly 30,50 includes aspindle, spool 32,52, gear 34,54 and ratchet wheel 36,56 that all rotatetogether about a respective spindle axis, with each spool 32,52 arrangedbetween a respective gear 34,54 and ratchet wheel 36,56.

Furthermore, each gear 34,54 includes a plurality of gear teeth adaptedto couple with the teeth of the pinion 26 when the pinion 26 ispositioned next to the gear 34,54. The teeth of each ratchet wheel 36,56are arranged to be engaged by a respective pawl 40,60, as will be morefully described hereinbelow. Each spool 32,52 further includes a pair ofopenings 42 to permit a cable to be routed there through and for windingon the spool 32,52 during rotation of the spool in a particulardirection, as more fully described hereinbelow.

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the interior of the device 10 of FIG. 1,shown with most of the rotatable components removed therefrom. Withparticular reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the pawls 40,60 are shownarranged in, and optionally contiguous to, the base 12. As will beappreciated, the pawls 40,60 furthermore extend upwardly (are raised)from the base for selective engagement by the release members 72,82 andfor engagement with the ratchet wheels 36,56. Each pawl 40,60 furthercomprises a gooseneck structure extending from a central region of thebase 12 and curving around so as to be adapted to engage the teeth of arespective ratchet wheel 36,56. When so engaged, each pawl 40,60prevents its respective ratchet wheel 36, 56 from rotating in aparticular rotational direction, while permitting rotation in theopposite rotational direction, due to the engagement between the pawl40,60 with the ratchet teeth.

With reference now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a release member 72,82 is shownfor each spool assembly 30,50. Each release member 72,82 comprises ahorseshoe-shaped (or “U” shaped) member that is slidably containedbetween the base 12 and the cover 14. The release members 72,82 arepreferably operable independently of each other.

The movement of each the release members 72,82 may be best understood asshown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 4. In each case, a first release member 72 isconfigured in its retracted position, wherein no contact is made betweenthe open ends of the release member 72 and the adjacent pawl 40, while asecond release member 82 is configured in its depressed position,wherein one of the open ends of the release member 82 has been placed incontact with its adjacent pawl 60, thereby displacing the gooseneckassembly of the pawl 60 from its normal position in engagement withratchet teeth. As best seen in FIG. 4, this has the effect of displacingthe second pawl 60 from its position against one of the teeth of theratchet wheel 56, while the first pawl 40 remains in its previous state(i.e., in contact with one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 36). Aswill be apparent, when a pawl 40,60 remains in contact with one of theteeth of its respective ratchet wheel 36,56, the ratchet wheel 36,56 isthereby prevented from rotating in a particular rotational direction,while if a pawl 40,60 is displaced from its position against one of theteeth of the ratchet wheel 36,56 by the corresponding release member72,82, then the ratchet wheel 36,56 is allowed to rotate by the pawl40,60 freely in either rotational direction.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are front plan views of the device 10 of FIG. 1 that serveto illustrate the movement of the respective release members 72,82relative to the rest of the device 10, and in particular, relative tothe cover 14. As shown, and with reference also to FIG. 1, each releasemember 72,82 includes an elastic component in the form of a pair ofspring arms 74 that extend therefrom and are arranged to receive andengage the rounded end surface of the cover 14. In normal operation, thespring arms 74 tend to bias the respective release members 72,82 out ofthe housing of the device 10 and away from the ends of the cover 14,thereby keeping (with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4) the open ends of therelease members 72,82 from engaging the respective pawls 40,60. However,if it is desired to release one or both pawls 40,60 from the ratchetwheels 36,56, then pressure sufficient to overcome the biasing strengthof the spring arms 74 may be applied, thereby causing the selectedrelease member(s) 72,82 to move toward the cover 14 until the springarms 72 are pressed into the inner curve of the horseshoe-shape of therelease member. By this stage, the open end of the selected releasemember(s) 72,82 preferably have engaged a respective pawl 40,60, and thepawl 40,60 has been forced out of engagement with the teeth of arespective ratchet wheel 36,56, thereby providing for (i.e., permittingby a pawl) the free rotation of the respective spool assembly 30,50 ofthe ratchet wheel 36,56.

This effect may be seen by comparing and aligning the relative positionsof the components in FIG. 4 with those in FIG. 5, as each shows thesecond release member 82 in its depressed position and the resultingdisengagement of the second pawl 60 from the ratchet wheel 56. On theother hand, FIG. 6 illustrates an opposite situation, wherein the firstrelease member 72 is in its depressed position, resulting in thedisengagement of the first pawl 40 from the first ratchet wheel 36.Notably, although not specifically illustrated herein, it also will beapparent that both release members 72,82 may be depressedsimultaneously, as described previously, thereby releasing both ratchetwheels 36, 56 simultaneously.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 12 may be seen to includeappropriate mounting features to receive the various other components ofthe device 10. Such mounting features may include contours shaped toreceive and retain the components of the device 10 when the cover 14 issecurely coupled to the base 12 and retained thereto by the snap-onattachment of the retention flange 25 to the base 12. These featureswill generally be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art fromthe disclosure herein, and are likely to include features for couplingto the cover 14, for receiving the ratchet wheels 36,56 in snug fit, forreceiving the drive shaft 23 and pivot arm 28, and the like.

As illustrated, the base 12 may also include features for receiving,guiding and routing lines or cables from the spools 32,52 to the lateraledges of the device 10. These features may take the form of conduits,passageways, cable guides, openings, tube-like structures, and the like,and may be formed in the body of the base 12 or separately attachedthereto. The purpose and use of these features will become evidenthereinbelow.

Likewise, referring generally to FIG. 1, the cover 14 may be seen orunderstood to include its own appropriate mounting features to receivethe various other components of the device 10. These features willgenerally be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, but arelikely to include corresponding features for coupling to the base 12,for receiving the gears 34, 54, for receiving the pinion 26 and thepivot arm 28, and the like.

In order to operate the device 10, a separate line or cable capable ofexperiencing tension (not shown), which once routed may or may not be inthe form of a continuous loop, is first routed through each spoolassembly 30,50 and through the guide features in the base 12 as well asany other components as appropriate. Once the cables are installed, eachcable may be tightened (placed in greater tension) by turning the dial22 in one direction or the other. More specifically, turning the dial 22in one rotational direction causes a first cable (i.e., the one routedthrough the first spool assembly 30) to be tightened, while turning thedial in the opposite rotational direction causes a second cable (i.e.,the one routed through the second spool assembly 50) to be tightened.This is accomplished as follows.

With reference to FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9A and 9B, which are all frontand side plan views of the pivot arm 28 together with the various gears24,26,34,54, all shown in isolation from the rest of the components ofthe device 10. Beginning with FIGS. 7A and 7B, the various componentsare shown in a neutral state, wherein the pinion 26 is not meshed orengaged with either of the gears 34,54 of the respective spoolassemblies 30,50. In this intermediate position, rotation would not beapplied to either of the gears 34,54 by the pinion 26 during rotation ofthe dial 22, drive shaft 23, and drive gear 24. Indeed, rotation of thedial 22, drive shaft 23, and drive gear 24 results in pivoting of thepivot arm 28 upon which the pinion is 26 is carried, and does not resultin rotation of the pinion 26 itself about the pinion axis.

As will be appreciated, this is a temporary, transient position only, asrotation of the dial 22 in one rotational direction or the other causesthe drive shaft 23 to rotate and in turn tends to cause the pivot arm 28to rotate and carries the pinion 26 along with it. When the pinion 26reaches one or the other of the gears 34,54, further rotation of thepivot arm 28 is thereby prevented. At this point, continued rotation ofthe dial 22 causes the drive gear 24, which is constantly engaged withthe pinion 26, to rotate relative to the pinion axis. The pinion 26 thentends to settle into meshed relationship with the first gear 34, therebycausing rotation, in turn, of the gear 34. This relationship isillustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

Conversely, if the dial 22 is rotated in the opposite rotationaldirection, the drive shaft 23 is caused to correspondingly rotate, inturn tending to cause the pivot arm 28 to rotate and carry the pinion 26along with it. When the pinion 26 reaches the opposite gear 54, furtherrotation of the pivot arm 28 is again prevented. At this point,continued rotation of the dial 22 causes the drive gear 24, which ismeshed with the pinion 26, to rotate relative to the pinion axis. Thepinion 26 then tends to settle into meshed relationship with the gear54, thereby causing the gear 54 itself to rotate. This relationship isillustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B.

FIGS. 10-14 are plan views of elements of a device 110 for independentlytensioning lines in accordance with a second embodiment of the presentinvention. The device 110 shares substantial similarity in design andcharacteristics of operation with regard to those of device 10.

With regard to this second embodiment, FIG. 10 is a front plan view of adevice 110 for independently tensioning lines in accordance with asecond embodiment of the present invention, while FIG. 11 is a frontplan view of the rear half of the device 110 of FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 isa rear plan view of the front half of the device 110 of FIG. 10. Ascollectively shown therein, the device 110 includes a rear housing 112and a front housing 114, mounted within which are a drive assembly 120,spool assemblies 30,50, a ratcheting assembly including pawls, and arelease assembly 90. Each of these elements is described in detailhereinbelow.

The drive assembly 120 includes a dial 122, a drive gear 124 and apinion 126. The dial 122 includes a drive shaft (not shown) extendingtherefrom, and the dial 122 and drive shaft are rotatable about a driveaxis. The outer surface of the dial 122 may include indentations orother features 121 to make it possible for a user to grasp and turn iteasily. As in the first device 10, the drive gear 124 is fixed on thedrive shaft for rotation with the drive shaft about the drive axis. Onthe other hand, the pinion 126, which is carried on a pivot arm in thedevice 10, is rotatable around a spindle that is allowed to move alongcurved slots in the top and bottom casings 114,112 in the device 110.The teeth of the pinion 126 are arranged for a purpose made apparenthereinbelow.

Similar to the first device 110, each spool assembly 130,150 preferablyincludes a spindle (not shown) upon which a respective spool (not shown)and a respective gear 135,155 are all fixed. The relationship of thespindle, spools, and gears 135,155 is all generally similar inarrangement and function to that of the spindle, spool 32,52, gears34,54 and ratchet wheel 36,56 of the first device 10, except that indevice 110, the gears 135,155 serve the function of gears 34,54 andratchet wheels 36,56. In this respect, each spool assembly 130,150, isrotatable about a respective spindle axis, with each spool arrangedconcentric with its respective gear 135,155. Each gear 135,155 includesa plurality of gear teeth adapted to couple with the teeth of the pinion126 when the pinion 126 is positioned next to a gear 135,155. The teethof each gear 135,155 also are arranged to be engaged by a respectivepawl 141,161. Each spool further includes a pair of openings (notshown), similar to the openings 42 of the first device 10, to permit acable to be routed there through and then wound on the spool.

Referring generally to FIG. 11, the ratcheting assembly 85 includes apawl 141,161 for each spool assembly 130,150. Each pawl 141,161comprises a lever-like structure extending from a respective rotatingcylindrical base 143,163 and having a curved tip at the distal endthereof so as to be adapted to engage the teeth of a respective gear135,155. When so engaged, each pawl 141,161 inhibits rotation of a gear135,155 in a respective first rotational direction.

Still referring generally to FIG. 11, the release assembly 90 includes adual function release lever 92 having a tab or pad 93, 94 at each endthereof. The release lever 92,when selectively depressed, in turnselectively depresses one or both of the pawls thereby freeing, in turn,one or both of the gears 135,155 for rotation uninhibited by arespective pawl.

The pinion 126 is illustrated in a neutral position in FIG. 11, whereinit is disengaged from both of the gears 135,155. The pinion 126 isillustrated in a first engaged position with one of the gears 135,155 inFIG. 13, and the pinion 126 is illustrated in a second engaged positionwith the other gear in FIG. 14. The pinion 126 is moved into and betweenthese positions by rotation of the drive assembly.

While having some differences in design from that of device 10, thedevice 110 operates to draw lines into the housing and release lines forwithdrawal from the housing in similar manner to device 10. In thisregard, operation of the device 110 is illustrated in FIGS. 15-19 and isexemplary of the operation of many different devices in accordance withembodiments of the invention.

Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood bythose persons skilled in the art that the present invention issusceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments andadaptations of the present invention other than those specificallydescribed herein, as well as many variations, modifications, andequivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggestedby the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, withoutdeparting from the substance or scope of the present invention.Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein indetail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to beunderstood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary ofthe present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing afull and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosureis not intended to be construed to limit the present invention orotherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations,modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention beinglimited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

1. A device for independently tensioning lines, comprising: (a) a dial;(b) a drive gear that is fixedly connected to the dial, the dial anddrive gear being concentric and rotatable together about a drive axis;(c) a pinion rotatable about a pinion axis and having teeth engaged withteeth of the drive gear, the pinion being pivotable about the drive axisto different positions including, (i) a first position, in which teethof the pinion engage teeth of a first gear but not teeth of a secondgear, (ii) a second position, in which teeth of the pinion engage teethof the second gear but do not engage teeth of the first gear, and (iii)an intermediate position, in which teeth of the pinion do not engageteeth of either the first gear or the second gear; (d) a first spoolfixed on a first spindle for rotation with the first spindle about afirst spindle axis, the first spindle being coaxial with, and fixedlyconnected to, the first gear for rotation therewith about the firstspindle axis; (e) a second spool fixed on a second spindle for rotationwith the second spindle about a second spindle axis, the second spindlebeing coaxial with, and fixedly connected to, the second gear forrotation therewith about the second spindle axis; (f) a first pawlconfigured to engage, and thereby prevent rotation of, the first spoolin a first rotational direction of the first spool, while permittingrotation of the first spool in a second rotational direction of thefirst spool; (g) a second pawl configured to engage, and thereby preventrotation of, the second spool in a first rotational direction of thesecond spool, while permitting rotation of the second spool in a secondrotational direction of the second spool; (h) a first release memberconfigured to selectively displace the first pawl from engagement withthe first spool, thereby permitting rotation of the first spool in thefirst rotational direction of the first spool; and (i) a second releasemember configured to selectively displace the second pawl fromengagement with the second spool, thereby permitting rotation of thesecond spool in the first rotational direction of the second spool; (j)wherein, (i) rotation of the dial in a first rotational direction aboutthe drive axis results in rotation of the first spool in the secondrotational direction of the first spool, but does not result in rotationof the second spool, and (ii) rotation of the dial in a secondrotational direction about the drive axis results in rotation of thesecond spool in the second rotational direction of the second spool, butdoes not result in rotation of the first spool.
 2. The device of claim1, wherein the first release member and the second release memberrespectively comprise opposite ends of a center-pivoted lever that ispivotal between a first position, in which the first release memberengages and displaces the first pawl, a second position, in which thesecond release member engages and displaces the second pawl, and anintermediate position in which a lever arm displaces neither the firstpawl nor the second pawl.
 3. The device of claim 1, further comprising afirst line that is wound about the first spool when the first spool isrotated in the second rotational direction of the first spool, wherebytension may be applied to the first line, and a second line that iswound about the second spool when the second spool is rotated in thesecond rotational direction of the second spool, whereby tension may beapplied to the second line independent of tension that is applied to thefirst line.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein the first spool includes aradial opening through which a first line extends and wherein the secondspool includes a radial opening through which a second line extends. 5.The device of claim 2, wherein the first spool includes a pair ofopposed radial openings through both of which a first line extends andwherein the second spool includes a pair of opposed radial openingsthrough both of which a second line extends.
 6. The device of claim 1,wherein, (a) the first release member is movable between a position inwhich the first pawl is displaced from engagement with the first spooland a second position in which the first pawl is not displaced fromengagement with the first spool, and wherein the first release member isbiased by an elastic component toward the second position; and (b) thesecond release member is movable between a position in which the secondpawl is displaced from engagement with the second spool and a secondposition in which the second pawl is not displaced from engagement withthe second spool, and wherein the second release member is biased by anelastic component toward the second position.
 7. The device of claim 6,wherein the same elastic member biases both the first release membertoward the second position and the second release member toward thesecond position.
 8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a housingin which the drive gear, the pinion, the first gear, the second gear,the first spool, the first spindle, the second spool, the secondspindle, the first pawl, and the second pawl are located.
 9. The deviceof claim 8, wherein the housing includes a length and a width that aresubstantially greater than a height.
 10. The device of claim 8, whereinthe housing includes a bottom surface that is substantially planar. 11.The device of claim 8, wherein the housing comprises a top casing and abottom casing that are coupled together.
 12. The device of claim 11,wherein the bottom casing defines cableways providing protectedpassageways to the first and second spools for the unobstructedtensioning of lines by the first and second spools.
 13. The device ofclaim 12, wherein the bottom casing defines two pair of cableways. 14.The device of claim 11, wherein the top casing defines a guide slot andwherein an extension fixedly connected to the pinion is received withinthe guide slot during movement of the pinion between the first, second,and intermediate positions.
 15. The device of claim 8, wherein both thefirst pawl and the second pawl are pivotably disposed within thehousing.